Staff

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Dr. Thompson has been involved in education and ministry for over 25 years. She comes here from Colorado and holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Colorado in Elementary Education with Honors. Her subsequent studies were at Mississippi University for Women where she received her M.S. in Elementary Education/Academically Gifted Education with Honors. She continued her graduate studies and received her Ph.D. from Pensacola Christian College, where she researched, developed, and implemented field studies across the United States with her academically gifted curriculum. Her postdoctoral studies were in Bible through Liberty University. Her background includes serving as the principal of two Christian schools, administrator, leadership training, teacher in preschool, elementary, middle school, and high school, special needs teacher for one year, test administrator, testing and educational consultant, academically gifted teacher, curriculum development for preschool through high school, led educational courses at Association of Christian School International conferences in Alaska and Texas, taught Philosophy of Education for credit classes, placement counselor, published author with Association of Christian Schools International, helped lead a school in Anchorage, Alaska to accreditation, authored family home group devotional study guides, designed and created an interactive Biblical worldview curriculum for students, and served as the children’s program director for curriculum and development for a church of 1600. Dr. Thompson is passionate about seeing children develop academically, mentally, physically, and spiritually. She promotes a Christ honoring engaging environment and an academically solid curriculum, where students are in an interactive, positive learning environment. Her heart’s desire is to see students change into active, interactional learners who are seeking to grow in their faith and relationships with others. She is highly relational and the best part of her day is to interact with the students, teachers, and the parents. She believes parents provide the foundation for the students and their positive input to their children is life changing. Her philosophy is that The Oaks School is here to come alongside families to help children become the person that God has created them to be. 

Hi, my name is Ashley Jeffares. I am so glad to be a part of The Oaks’ first year! I am from Reeltown, AL, where I graduated from high school in 2002. I attended Southern Union with a scholarship and then transferred to Troy University main campus where I received my B.S. in K-6 Elementary and Collaborative Education. I returned to Troy after my teaching career began and received my M.S. in K-6 Elementary Education. I taught at Beauregard Elementary for the past 11 years, teaching all subjects in 3rd grade. My husband, Tony, and I have been married for ten years. The Lord has blessed us with three beautiful, little girls, Kelsi (7), Klaira (4), and Kendall (8 months). I love reading, going to the lake or the beach, and just being outdoors in general. I am so thrilled to have the opportunity to teach your children this year as we grow academically and spiritually together!

Diane Yockachonis graduated Cum Laude from Auburn University in the School of Education back in 2000. She then married her husband Rick soon after and had their son in 2006. They decided to homeschool before he was even born and began teaching private classes ranging from the topics of Sign Language, French, and Anatomy. They have homeschooled their son from the beginning and have greatly anticipated the start of The Oaks School. Diane and her husband own and operate Mafia’s Ristorante in downtown Opelika.

My name is Hanna Geisler, and I am so excited to be a part of The Oaks’ first year! I am originally from Cincinnati, OH but moved down to Alabama to attend Auburn University, where I will be graduating with my Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in the Fall.

I have been involved in inclusion programs for children with special needs, and through that have learned the impact that pouring into our kids at an early age can have. I became involved in ministry through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Auburn University and have since become involved in high school FCA as well. I feel incredibly blessed to be able to grow in Christ with your children as we learn together!

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Kennesaw State University and has been tutoring and teaching students of all ages since 2009. Her primary focus has been helping college students rebuild foundational math skills, as well as confidence in the subject, and is looking forward to helping younger students develop these skills earlier in their educational journey. Lindsay’s professional experience includes teaching and tutoring non-traditional and traditional college students at Kennesaw State University, Southern Union State Community College and Chattahoochee Valley Community College; developing and writing content meeting Georgia state standards for textbooks (k-12); managing and training a team of 15 tutors (chemistry, engineering, mathematics and physics) at Kennesaw State University’s SMART Center; developing curriculum for the tutor training program at Kennesaw State University’s SMART Center. Lindsay believes that every individual holds a love for math somewhere inside, it just takes a little exploring! Lindsay and her husband, Derrick, currently live in Valley, Alabama with their 2 dogs, Isaac and Cooper. Outside of her love for teaching mathematics, Lindsay enjoys spending time with family and friends, supporting her Atlanta Braves and creating DIY projects at home.